The problem being that people may just read from people that have not been to both or that are biaised in some ways.
There are no Bali dive guides writing in Scubaboard while some of the posters may have directly or not some interest in getting people to Lembeh, some operators too. I am not even speaking of the magazines you read which for the most write complete BS (I have sold photos to magazines, I am often shaking my head between my hands when I read their text around... hopefully I do't have to purchase them.) or whose writers have been "invited" by the resorts.
Lembeh is the best place for muck or macro? says who? If you ask me that won't be my first choice.
I have not been invited by any resorts, been diving many times to Bali or Lembeh, I have photos to show what yo see below, you can check my gallery..
First what are you expecting to see? Ambon or Alor will smoke Lembeh in my book for a lot of stuff, Anilao as well, Tulamben for some aspects too. I won't tell you which is my favorite because it's pointless (plius I don't have any financial interest in either destination) and also it will depend on what I am expecting to shoot at the moment I am deciding. .
Let me put you the comparison between Tulamben and Lembeh in way that might have you think twice. Do you prefer :
Destination A : clear water 20m visibilty most of the time, black sand slopes packed with nudibranch, octopi, any crustacea you like, you have your private dive guide for yourself, nitrox for free, shore or boat dive entries for less than 30USD each, you command your schedule and dive anytime you want, back to your hotel you can eat out, possibly skip half of a full day to go o a trip;
Destination B : murky waters, viz as low as 5-8m at some time, black sand with lots of critters, you must follow a schedule to dive and you share your guide with other people otherwise. You will pay in between 40-50USD per dive, add a nitrox fee on top. Be prepared to have other groups on the same spot, most with big cameras and you will have to queue to see some crittes.Hotels rooms are twie the price than Destination A, even if you don't like teh food or the atmosphere at your resort this is the only place where you can eat and stay.
Whch destination would you choose?
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